Groundbreaking new rules will give the NSW Government the power to claw back excessive insurer profits from Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance and return the money to motorists through cheaper Green Slips.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said insurer profits will be capped at 10 per cent by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), keeping costs to motorists down while also encouraging the industry to be more innovative.
The new CTP scheme gave Government the authority to eliminate super profits, and these Australian first rules provide the policy framework to achieve that objective.
“Under the old CTP scheme, insurer profits were in excess of 30 per cent and resulted in motorists paying some of the highest premiums in the country,” Mr Dominello said.
“Those days are over and the sun has completely set on insurer super profits. The new scheme is fairer and more affordable, with motorists paying $490 on average for their Green Slips – the most affordable since 2011.
“We have delivered on a promise and these rules and are a big win for motorists who can have confidence that the Government will crackdown on excessive profits.”
Based on current premiums, for every one per cent of excess profit recovered from insurers, more than $15 million will be returned to NSW vehicle owners through lower Green Slip prices.
Insurers with approved innovation programs will be able to retain an additional three per cent profit. This gives a strong incentive for them to enhance injury prevention and help people return to health, while ensuring premiums do not increase.
SIRA will monitor insurer profits on a yearly basis and claw back any profits when claims for more complex and serious injuries are resolved.
The new rules are already applicable. Further information is available at www.sira.nsw.gov.au
Author: admin
TOO MANY NOVOCASTRIAN HOUSEHOLDS GOING DARK
In some parts of Newcastle, as many as six per cent of households have their electricity disconnected in recent times, according to an updated report from St Vincent de Paul.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon discussed the “Households in the Dark” report during a speech on the so-called ‘big stick’ legislation, which would give Government powers to break up energy companies.
“Tragically, millions of Australians are struggling to keep the lights on. And of course, it’s the most vulnerable people – the very people already under siege from this Government’s savage agenda – that are getting hit the hardest,” Ms Claydon told the Parliament.
“[The report] showed that far from being an anomaly, disconnections are becoming commonplace.”
Ms Claydon said the number of disconnections in Newcastle were “shocking”.
“In postcode 2300, which takes in the inner city suburbs of Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Bar Beach, Newcastle East and The Hill, a staggering 6.4% of households had electricity disconnections raised between July 2015 and June 2018.
“Indeed, out of every single populated postcode in my electorate, the very lowest disconnection rate was 2.4% of households.”
Ms Claydon blamed the terrible figures on the Morrison Government’s failure to deliver a national energy policy.
“When it comes to energy policy, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has demonstrated time and again that it is pathologically incapable of delivering the leadership that the country so desperately needs.
“Wholesale power prices have climbed 158 per cent since 2015. Business is hurting and household budgets are getting smashed.
“This Government needs to stop its childish factional bickering, get over its aversion to science and deliver an energy policy that will drive investment, create jobs, bring down carbon emissions and cut electricity prices.”
‘No Other Choice’: Greens call for Royal Commission into Horse Racing
On the eve of the Agricultural Minister’s Forum (AgMin) on Friday, where the horse racing industry will be discussed, the Greens have said that the Federal Government has no other choice but to establish a Royal Commission into animal cruelty and ‘wastage’ in the horse racing industry and to get the States on board.
Greens Senator and Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has said that the industry cannot be trusted to clean itself up and their lack of action since the expose on the slaughter of race horses has shown that only a Royal Commission can resolve the issue.
Senator Faruqi said:
“There is a fundamental rot in the horse racing industry that needs to be exposed. Only a Royal Commission with the power to compel witnesses and open up the books will get to the bottom of the racing industry’s cruelty.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the industry has known where these horses end up, but have failed to take action. They simply can’t be trusted.
“Industrial slaughter of race horses is the business model of the racing industry. Too many horses are bred for them to be realistically rehomed, so the racing industry relies on cruel slaughterhouses to dispose of what they call ‘wastage’.
“The community is red hot with anger and have no faith in the racing industry to protect horses. It has been a week of buck passing and crocodile tears from the industry and they should hang their head in shame.
“They are clearly not serious about reform. Accountability will only come when a Royal Commission drags them kicking and screaming to the table.
“If the racing industry is serious about protecting the lives of the thousands of horses they breed, then they should support our call for a Royal Commission.
“Piecemeal state by state actions and inquiries won’t end the cruelty – it is part of the reason why we are in this mess in the first place. We know state and federal governments are too captured by the racing and gambling industries to undertake a genuine review of animal cruelty in the horse racing and gambling industry. That’s why we need a Royal Commission,” she concluded.
Horse Register Must be led by Federal Government Greens Warn
Greens Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to reports the federal Agriculture Minister has asked states to consider a national horse register at today’s meeting of agriculture ministers.
Senator Faruqi said:
“I established the inquiry into a national horse traceability register to help prevent the kind of shocking cruelty we saw on our screens last week.
“The Greens were the first to champion a birth-to-death horse register, but any register must provide real transparency and real teeth.
“It’s good to see some movement from the Minister, but it’s not good enough to just ask states to consider a national horse register. No more buck passing.
“Minister McKenzie must step up and the Federal Government should lead on a national register without shifting responsibility to the states who have a poor record on animal welfare.
“The billion-dollar racing industry relies on breeding thousands of horses purely for their gambling profits through racing. They have completely abdicated their moral and financial responsibility to guarantee those horses a good life. A horse register will help change that.
“Tracing horses throughout their lives will solve part of the problem. We need strong enforcement and strong animal welfare laws as well. The Greens have long advocated for an independent office for animal welfare which can do this.
“At the end of the day, the racing industry’s neglect of racehorses and their attempts to mislead the public demand a Royal Commission to lift the lid on an industry that has long escaped scrutiny,” she concluded.
Police appeal for dashcam footage after roadworker suffers head injuries in M1 crash
Police are appealing for dashcam footage after a roadworker was seriously involved during a crash on the M1 Motorway at Berowra yesterday.
Emergency services were called shortly after 3am (Wednesday 23 October 2019), after a roadworker was struck in the breakdown lane by a utility, driven between the roadwork safety vehicle and the rock wall.
The 28-year-old roadworker was treated at the scene by paramedics for head injuries before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the utility, a 72-year-old man from Kingsgrove, has also been taken to Royal North Shore for mandatory testing and to be treated for a minor head injury.
Officers from Ku-Ring-Gai Police Area Command attended and established a crime scene; however, inquiries are now been taken over by the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit (MCIU).
As inquiries continue, officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit are now appealing for public assistance for anyone who may have been travelling southbound on the M1 between 10pm Tuesday 22 October 2019) and 3am and may have dashcam footage or anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Police investigate single-vehicle fatal crash in the Hunter Region
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a single-vehicle fatal crash in the Hunter Region overnight.
About 11.40pm (Wednesday 24 October 2019), a vehicle travelling north on M1, near O’Donnelltown Road, Killingworth, Lake Macquarie, left the road and crashed into bushland.
The vehicle caught alight and the driver died at the scene.
A crime scene has been established as inquiries continue.
The driver has not yet been identified.
Police investigate suspicious car fires – Charlestown
Police are investigating after two vehicles and a home were set alight in Charlestown overnight.
Sometime between 5.30pm and 8pm yesterday (Wednesday 23 October 2019), police have been told a Hyundai i30 was found on fire at a home on Whitburn Close, Charlestown.
Neighbours and Fire and Rescue NSW assisted in extinguishing the blaze.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called and attended the scene.
While at this home, police received reports of another vehicle fire on Merran Avenue, Charlestown.
Police have been told a man noticed his vehicle, a Subaru Forester, was on fire and extinguished the blaze.
He then noticed two separate small fires at the sides of the home; all the blazes were extinguished.
Officers from Lake Macquarie PD were called to the scene and commenced an investigation.
Police believe the two incidents are linked.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV footage or dash cam footage from around these times in the area to contact Belmont Police on 4922 8899 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Lake Macquarie Police District Duty Officer, Chief Inspector David Matthews, said this is a timely reminder for residents to revisit their home security.
“Always try to park vehicles inside a garage where possible, never leave valuables inside your car and in plain sight, and always remember to lock the door before walking away.
“These may seem like simple reminders but they can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime,” Ch Insp Matthews said.
Woman charged over fatal Belmont North crash
A woman has been charged following a fatal two-car crash at Belmont North earlier this year.
About 7.25am on Monday 13 May 2019, a Ford Falcon was travelling south on the Pacific Highway while a Mitsubishi Colt was travelling north on the same road, when the cars collided in the northbound lane.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 50-year-old Belmont North woman, died at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, a 32-year-old woman also from Belmont North, was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.
Yesterday (Wednesday 23 October 2019), the 32-year-old woman presented to Newcastle Police Station and was arrested.
She has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (DUI), dangerous driving occasioning death (drive in a dangerous manner), negligent driving causing death, drive under the influence of a drug, drive with illicit drug present in blood and not keep left of media strip.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 14 November 2019.
Woman charged over fatal crash – Belmont North
A woman has been charged following an investigation into a fatal two-car crash in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
About 7.25am on Monday 13 May 2019, emergency services were called to the intersection of Avonlea Street and the Pacific Highway, Belmont North, following reports a Mitsubishi Colt and Ford Falcon collided head-on.
The 50-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi died at the scene and the 32-year-old female driver of the Ford Falcon was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation and following inquiries, a 32-year-old woman was arrested at Newcastle Police Station today (Wednesday 23 October 2019).
Police will allege the Ford was travelling southbound when it crossed into the northbound lanes and collided with the Mitsubishi Colt.
The woman was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (DUI), dangerous driving occasioning death (manner dangerous), negligent driving cause death, driver under the Influence of a drug, drive with illicit drug present in blood and not keep left of median strip.
She was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 14 November 2019
City returns another surplus
City of Newcastle has returned a sixth consecutive annual operating surplus.
Audited financial statements endorsed by Council tonight show City of Newcastle delivered a budget surplus of $9.4 million for the year 2018/19.
The financial statements also show the City registered operational income of $336.3 million and total operating expenses of $295.9 million.
“City of Newcastle continues on the path of financial sustainability, delivering a sixth consecutive budget surplus,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“This compares favourably to a growing trend of budget deficits in local government and demonstrates that the City has the capacity to respond to rising service expectations and unforeseen events.
“Development and investment activity remain strong in Newcastle, with the total value of building approvals again topping $1 billion in 2018/19.
“Our record $91.6 million capital works program for 2018/19 is contributing to this growth, as we maintain heritage assets while revitalising and re-inventing our city.
“The works program delivered projects including popular playgrounds at Blackbutt’s Richley Reserve and the South Stockton Active Hub, plus upgrades to our local centres at Carrington and Beresfield.
“Meanwhile, tourism and visitation are at record numbers, bolstered by the success of the Newcastle 500 and growth in a wide range of events spanning sport, music, art and culture – many of which are supported by CN sponsorships and grants.
“From landmark infrastructure projects to local centre upgrades and flood mitigation works in Wallsend, we’re improving the amenity, safety and sense of community right across the city.”
CEO Jeremy Bath said the City had met or exceeded all six financial performance ratios set by the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG).
“These benchmarks are a measure of financial sustainability and highlight the robust financial health of the City of Newcastle,” he said.
“The figures show ratepayers can be confident that we will continue to deliver high-quality services and projects in a financially responsible way,” he said.
The OLG manages a website that rate payers can use to track how their Council is faring compared to other local governments https://yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au/council-data/newcastle-1560307491/